As July arrives, so too does National Picnic Month, a celebration of al fresco dining, leisurely afternoons and the art of packing delightful meals to enjoy under the summer sun. This month invites us to embrace the joy and simplicity of outdoor gatherings, where checkered blankets unfurl on grassy lawns or sandy beaches, laden with an array of tempting treats.
From refreshing salads bursting with seasonal produce to savory sandwiches piled high with comforting fillings, every picnic spread tells a story of culinary creativity and shared enjoyment. Imagine coolers filled with crisp cucumber salad on cottage cheese toast or fan-favorite delights like creamy potato salad and pigs in a blanket. Desserts like bright and tangy lemon bars and fresh fruit galettes promise a sweet finale, while drinks like herbal lemonade and berry sangria are a perfect way to beat the heat.
Whether you are planning a family outing, a romantic rendezvous or a gathering of close friends, National Picnic Month encourages us to slow down, savor good food and cherish moments spent in nature’s embrace.
Here, we’ve rounded up 31 of our favorite picnic dishes for 31 days of the month. Be bold, be creative and have some fun crafting your perfect picnic experience. Whether you’re lounging in a park, by the beach or in your backyard, these dishes are designed to elevate your picnic game. So pack your baskets, spread out your blankets and celebrate the joy of good food and great company on a sunny summer day.
Salads
With a blend of hearty greens, savory chicken and pickled veggies, this salad is a delicious blend of textures and flavors. Tossed in a tangy Italian vinaigrette, it’s a refreshing picnic addition that’s easy to assemble for make-ahead or on-the-go meals.
This vibrant pasta salad combines ripe tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, basil and crispy prosciutto, all tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a taste of Italy that’s perfect for summer picnics.
Refreshing and light, this salad pairs sweet watermelon with pearl couscous, cucumber and a unique basil-mint vinaigrette that makes this dish a stand-out among the rest. Filled to the brim with summer flavor, you won’t want this left off your next picnic menu.
Celebrate picnic season with this elegant salad featuring tender asparagus spears, shaved Parmesan and a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Each bite offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a crowd-pleaser and healthy addition to your next picnic.
This lighter take on potato salad features classic Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh herbs and the secret ingredient that brings everything together: tahini. This recipe is proof that you can leave mayo out of the equation and still have a creamy, satisfying potato salad to bring to the party.
For a salad that's as satisfying as it is refreshing, try this fusion of crisp vegetables, tender rice noodles, crunchy almonds, all tossed in a flavorful peanut butter dressing. It's like enjoying the flavors of a spring roll without the wrapper, a delightful and colorful addition to any picnic spread.
A fresh take on the classic Middle Eastern salad, tabbouleh bursts with vibrant flavors of parsley, tangy tomatoes and nutty bulgur. This herbaceous salad is not only refreshing, but also packed with nutrients, making it a perfect addition to your picnic basket.
Sides
Elevate your toast game with this cool cucumber salad atop creamy cottage cheese, crunchy sourdough bread and garnished with fresh dill. It’s the perfect picnic snack that’s easy and quick to prepare.
Preparing for a picnic requires some forethought. You want a selection of flavors, sweet and savory, but also need food that will stay fresh at room temperature for as long as possible. These veggies do just that, a delicious and effortless addition to your picnic that won’t gp soggy if you make them ahead.
Martha Stewart’s take on this classic appetizer features savory sausages wrapped in buttery puff pastry, brushed with honey mustard and baked to golden perfection. The ultimate crowd-pleaser, they’re guaranteed to disappear fast.
These colorful rolls are a classic Korean snack. Filled with egg omelet, rice, spinach, radish, cucumber and carrot matchsticks, and wrapped in seaweed, they are the perfect, bite-sized and versatile snack to savor at your next picnic.
This lighter version of a classic dip combines spinach, artichokes, Greek yogurt, and a blend of cheeses for a creamy and rich appetizer. Perfect for dipping vegetables, crackers or spreading on bread, this irresistible dip needs to be in your picnic basket.
Create the ultimate spread with tender pulled pork and pair with whatever you like best. This recipe is perfect for feeding larger gatherings where people can customize their meal based on their own cravings.
Rich and smoky, this vegan dip blends roasted eggplant, paprika, tahini and zesty lemon juice for a creamy and flavorful dish. It’s perfect for dipping pita chips or spreading on sandwiches for a Mediterranean-inspired treat.
Sandwiches
Tender shredded pork nestled in warm pita bread with cool tzatziki sauce, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes and tangy red onions makes for the perfect Greek-style picnic bite.
This New Orleans classic is so delicious it will transport you right to the French Quarter. With layers of cured meat, provolone cheese and pickled giardiniera vegetables, this sandwich captures the spirit of the Big Easy in every bite.
Packed with a variety of cured meats, creamy cheeses, fig jam, fresh vegetables and olive tapenade, this sandwich brings the flavors of a charcuterie board between two slices of rustic bread. It’s a gourmet delight to elevate any picnic spread.
You either love it or hate it, but this creamy, classic egg salad is a summer picnic staple. Combining perfectly boiled eggs with tangy mustard, mayonnaise and dill pickles, it’s great to serve on sandwiches, wraps or as a topping for salads.
Quick and easy, these roll-ups feature sliced deli turkey and cream cheese wrapped in tortillas, then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Perfect for picnics with children or for sharing with a large crowd, these are sure to please at your next picnic.
Desserts
If you are craving pie but want to make something simpler, this galette will be your go-to for picnic desserts. This tart showcases sweet, juicy blueberries wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. Sprinkled with sugar and baked until golden brown, it’s an easy yet elegant dessert that takes advantage of summer’s bounty.
This is a delicious, elevated snack bar packed with oats, nuts, seeds, medjool dates and a hint of honey. With a chewy texture and nutritious filling, these bars are easy to meal-prep and a convenient addition for last-minute picnics.
Sweet and tangy, this lemon cake is Jamie Lee Curtis’ favorite dessert for good reason. You’d never guess this moist and flavorful treat is made from a packaged cake mix. Topped with a sugary glaze, each bite is a perfect balance of sweet and tart and bursting with fresh citrus.
Sweet and salty collide in these irresistible cookies loaded with chocolate chips, crunchy pretzel pieces and a hint of sea salt. It’s a treat that satisfies every craving and is perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Rich with bourbon-infused flavor, this Southern-inspired dessert is a comforting treat. A buttery bourbon syrup glaze is the cherry on top for the perfect soft, moist and scrumptious cake when you want to add a fruity flavor to your dessert picnic spread.
The last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is turn on the oven. In this easy, no-bake, refreshing dessert, creamy cheesecake filling meets juicy strawberries to create a delightful taste of summer that’s sure to impress.
Vibrant in both color and flavor, these lemon bars just scream “summer.” With a creamy, zesty and fresh citrus taste, these bars are sure to brighten up any picnic.
Drinks
Refreshing lemonade gets a twist with aromatic Thai basil, creating a unique and flavorful drink that’s perfect for cooling down on a hot day. The herbal notes complement the citrusy sweetness, making each sip a satisfying delight.
This vibrant sangria combines fresh strawberries, blackberries and rosemary sprigs with a crisp seltzer and red wine to create a fruity and festive drink. A must-have to beat the heat, it’s sure to be a favorite for your picnic.
Cool watermelon meets a hint of spice in this nonalcoholic drink that’s both refreshing and invigorating. This drink will be your new go-to when you are craving a salty, sweet and spicy refreshment.
Sweet strawberries and tart lemons come together in this staple summertime drink. Perfectly balanced and oh-so-refreshing, this tasy refreshment will be gulped down quickly by your grateful picnic guests.
The iconic Martha Stewart has delivered an iconic drink you won’t regret bringing to your next picnic. With a refreshing blend of herbal red tea, citrus and mint, this beverage will cool you right off from the hot summer sun.
